Peace Returns To Yala Warring Communities
By Victor UDU
Peace has returned to the two warring communities of Benekaba and Ujama in South Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area but the crises has left one dead and several with life threatening injuries lying critically ill in the Lutheran Hospital, Yahe.
The peace initiative was orchestrated by the intervention of the Ukelle traditional Rulers and leaders of thought in the Council Area.
Findings revealed that apart from the life that was lost and the injured extensive destruction was done to crops, economic trees and landed property.
Beagle News findings also reveal that they may have been other remote causes of the crises bothering on bitterness and grievances from politics ,land ownership, however the immediate cause has to do with land tussle.
Chief Mrs Angela Ogeyi Odey, Director General, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA who responded to the distress call together with the traditional institution and other public spirited individuals intervene to restore the peace.
Speaking in Nfuma, South Ukelle venue for the peace meeting Chief Odey called on the warring communities to sheathe their Swords and embrace dialogue and peace wondering why brothers would be fighting.
She sympathized with them over their loses both life and property and admonished the youths to channel their energies into more productive ventures like Education, skill Acquisition, businesses and other viable economic aspirations that are beneficial instead of dissapating their strength in fighting.
She said for development to trive there is need for peace at all levels.
As part of her visit to the Communities, the DG visited farmlands in Ipollo, Nfuma, Yahe, and Udenyuma at Okpoma to assertain the level of flooding and it's impact on the Communities.
Earlier, Hon Martins Achadu, member representing Ukelle state constituency in the Assembly applauded government speedy intervention and appealed for support to alleviate the sufferings of the Internally Displaced Person's.
Hon Achadu said that the conflict and flood has brought about hardship as farmlands and home's have been affected.
Meanwhile His Excellency governor Bassey Otu has imposed a dusk to done curfew following the land and boundary disputes in Ugaga, Igbekurekor and Ujama and Benekaba communities in Yala 1 and 11 constituencies.
The governor said via a statement that the disputes have led to wanton destruction of lives and properties and pose a great threat to security.
The governor has directed the SEMA DG to commence interventions in the affected areas immediately and called on traditional Rulers to work towards ensuring lasting peace in the Communities.
